Digital Goa, April 19 – In a tragic incident, a lineman attached to the state electricity department died of electrocution while working on an electric pole at Housing Board, Bicholim. The lineman is identified as Manoj Jambaulikar from Pilgao. The accident has brought to fore the issue of safety of lineman working under dangerous conditions. The accident allegedly occurred after the power supply started suddenly while Manoj was working with the wires on the pole.
Electricity Dept attributes death of lineman to starting of invertor by Fitness Factory
Electricity Department attributed the death of lineman at Bicholim to starting of the invertor by Fitness Factory at Bicholim. Chief Electrical Engineer of the Department Stephen Fernandes claimed that investigation by the team from the department has revealed that due care was taken by the department by putting off the transformer, carrying out full isolation and putting the supply off from both the sides. However, 220 volt power supply reached the neural wire from the faulty invertor leading to the death of the lineman, he claimed. He further went on to add that it is mandatory for public to take permission from the department while installing invertors and ensure that power does not come to electricity lines. People generally don’t tend to take such permissions, he alleged.
Congress demands resignation of Power minister over electrocution deaths
Alleging that 71 persons have died due to electrocution in Goa in the last five years, Congress leader Ramakant Khalap asked Power Minister Sudin Dhavlikar to take moral responsibility of the deaths and resign as minister. Rs 12,000 crore have been spent in the last 5 years on transmission and line improvement, he further pointed out. Khalap was reacting to the death of lineman 37-year-old Manoj Jambaulikar from Pilgao who was electrocuted while working on electric pole at Bicholim today. “As per my information over 71 people have died due to electric shock in the last five years. 25 to 30 animals have also got electrocuted. Shouldn’t you take moral responsibility of the deaths and resign?” questioned the INDIA Lok Sabha Candidate from North Goa.
